The award is named for the founder of the United Church of Christ's Office of Communication, whose mission was to reform TV stations in the South, particularly their coverage of Civil Rights, by challenging their licenses.

The announcement came Thursday night as MMTC prepared for its annual Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conference in Washington July 18-19, where theaward is given out.

The conference will also feature an appearance by Clyburn's daughter, FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn, who has her own connection to Parker. In 2010, she delivered the UCC's Everett C. Parker Lecture in Ethics and Telecommunications. Other award winners are AT&T, which is getting the Corporate Diversity Awards, and The Wentworth Group, which is getting the Excellence in Financial Services award.

Also on the program are new Democratic Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel, veteran MMTC attendee, Republican FCC Commissioner Robert McDowell, and former Democratic Commissioner and Rosenworcel's predecessaor and former boss, Michael Copps.